Arch-support.



G. F. SPIEGEL.

ARCH SUPPORT. 'AP'PucAnoN FILED' JUNE 19, 1916.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

Wit "ego GEORGE E. srIEGEL, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

ARCH-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 19, 1916. Serial No. 104,599. I

f To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. SrI GEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arch-Supports, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide 1 a new and improved supportfor the arch of the foot. I

In the drawings, Figure 1 1s a perspective view of my improved support.Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the support. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsection through the shoe showing the support in position therein.

In the drawings like reference characters indicate like parts.

In the drawings reference numeral 1 indicates the cover for the supportwhich is preferably of leather. Underneath this cover are fastened thesprings 2 and 3 which are preferably made of phosphor bronze. Thesestrips are, fastened to the cover at the rear end by the rivets 4: and 5and at the front end by the rivets 6 and 7. The rivets 4 and 5 do notproject beyond the cover'and the spring. The rivets 6 and 7 have a headabove the cover or practically flush therewith andthe point 8 extendingbelow the spring such as is indicated in Fig. 3. This pointwill extendbelow the bottom of the spring by about 1 3 or of an inch. The

object of this point is to take firm'engagehis ment with the insole ofthe shoe and hold the support in proper position so that it will notslip either endwise or sidewise.

It will be noticed from Fig. 3 that the springs at the rear'make'contactwith the solid art of the heel and at the forward end extend beyond theshank or arch of the sole and make contact with the ball of the sole sothat it receives direct and solid support therefrom. as the ball of thesole rests on the ground. If the springs were shorter the forward end ofthem would rest on the shank and would yield with the shank. But as theforward end of the springs rests on the ball of the sole the springswill not beefiec'ted by any yielding of the shank. y

- The springs 2 and 3 are made of Sufieient width and thickness so thatthey will retain their shape irrespective of the pressure that comes'onthem from the foot of the person that is supported there y. Thesesprings are made preferably of phosphor bronze as shown in Fig. 2. Thespring 2 is referred to as the inside spring and the spring 3 isreferred to as the outside spring. It will also be understood that thesesupports are made in pairs and that in Figs. '1 and 2 I have shown thesupport for the right foot. It will also be understood that the supportfor the left foot will be the sameas the support for the right footexcept that the features thereof will be reversed thereon in positionfrom right to left.

The inside spring in either su port will be bent or adjusted so that,the orward part thereof will conform to the shape and proper position ofthe metatarsal bone of the foot and so that the bonewill be supported inproper position. The support will take the weight so far as possible offof the ball of the foot, the weight of the foot being oommunicatedthrough the arch of the foot to the ball of the sole of the shoedirectly through the support. p a

This support will not interfere with the play of the muscles of the footbut gives the Patented 52111.2, 191?.

proper action to the muscles of, the foot so springs 2 and 3 yield underthe pressure of thearch of the foot and in so doing they will exercisethe muscles of the foot tending to develop them and will restore them totheir natural strength. It will also be unders'tood that the parts ofthe support both the'cover and the springs are measured and graduated tofit each individual foot and the springs will be adjusted to the foot sothat the proper support will be furnished thereby. It will also beunderstood that the support will raise the arch of the foot and bring itback to proper normal position as the arch of the foot becomes properlyraised by the action of the support, the springs of the support are bentor adjusted from time to time to conform to the shape of the foot as itis gradually restored thereby-.to'normal position. It will lso benoticed that flanges or tongues 8 and 9 are provided on the sides of thecover, which tongues start near the for ward end of the cover andextend'upwardly toward the rear. These tongues draw around the foot whenthe shoe is laced or buttoned and draw the sides of the foot togetherand afford additional support to the foot. Both 2. In an arch supportthe combination of a plurality of springs adapted to span over the shankof the shoe from the ball to the heel, a cover for said springs, andmeans on the forward end of thesprings to. engage with the sole of theshoe and hold the support in place.

8. I11 an arch support the combination of a pluralitybf springs adaptedto span'over the shank of the shoe from the ball to the heel, and acover for said springs, said springs being rigidly fastened to the.cover at both ends.

4. In an arch support the combination of a plurality of springs adaptedto span over the shank of the shoe from the ball to the heel, and acover for said springs, said springs being rigidly fastened to the coverat both ends, each of said springs being capable of being bentindependently of the other to form a support for the foot.

6. In an arch support the combination of two phosphor bronze springsadapted to span over the shank of the shoe from the ball to the heel, acover for said springs, said springs being rigidly fastened to the coverat both ends, each of said springs being exposed through their wholelength on the under side of the cover, each of .said springs beingcapable of being bent independently of the other to form a support forthe foot, and means at the forward end of the springs to engage with thesole of the shoe and hold the support in place.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

GEORGE F. srrnenn tlopfiles of this patent may be obtained for fivecents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

